Our Stories

“I declare this keel well and truly laid.”

A statement made by then Vice-Admiral of the Royal Canadian Navy, Angus Topshee, to our shipbuilders, government officials, and industry partners, celebrating the keel laying for the first new Canadian destroyer in over three decades. A moment many will remember for years, but for two Irving Shipbuilding employees, it is a story that will be shared through families for generations.

Jaeson Fredericks, a Red Seal metal fabricator, and Brandon VanHeighten, a Red Seal welder, fitted and welded the coin, respectively, marking a major milestone in the build progress of the first River-class destroyer, the future HMCS Fraser.

The keel laying ceremony is a centuries old tradition that marks the formal start of a ship’s construction. The ceremony includes the tradition of welding a coin to the hull of the ship to bring luck to the captain and crew during the life of the ship.

Taking place during our Milestone Celebration, the opportunity to represent a shipbuilding team of 3,000 at a large-scale event wasn’t lost on Jaeson or Brandon.

“I am extremely proud of my team,” says Jaeson. “They have grown through some difficult tasks and have done so with the best attitudes possible. I expect big things from all of them moving forward on the RCD project. I’m proud to have had the opportunity. This will be something that I can share with generations of my family for the rest of my life. I have worked hard to achieve the goals set in front of me, so it feels great to be recognized in this way.”

“It felt pretty good to represent the crew,” says Brandon. “I’ve been on the crew for most of the time I’ve worked here, over two years, so it’s special to represent them. I’m proud to have been chosen to be a part of something so big.”

Brandon earned his Red Seal earlier this year and was the first person to perform welding on the keel unit of the future HMCS Fraser, creating a full-circle moment for him to weld the coin to the hull of the ship during the ceremony.

“It’s pretty cool to have this experience,” says Brandon. “I don’t know if I’ll have an experience like this again in my life. A lot of people are watching the progress on this ship, so I’m honoured have my name connected to such a big milestone.”

Following the ceremony, Brandon received congratulatory messages from family and friends, but his uncle Larry, a fellow shipbuilder, was able to cheer him on first-hand. Larry has been working at Halifax Shipyard for over 15 years and made a long-lasting impression on Jaeson when he began working at Halifax Shipyard over 14 years ago.

“When I first joined the shipyard, it was a different place,” says Jaeson. “You could walk end to end in the yard in no time at all. We were working on the mid-shore supply vessels, and some of the personalities were larger than life. Larry is one of those people that stick with you immediately! From my first day, he wasn’t shy about letting me know if I was on the right track or not. People like Larry have shaped my experience here. To be able to share this moment now with Brandon feels like a proverbial passing of the torch.”

Jaeson first joined Irving Shipbuilding looking for steadier work in the trades, which was made possible due to the National Shipbuilding Strategy. Throughout his time at Halifax Shipyard, Jaeson has worked closely with different departments and disciplines, learning from many while also having the opportunity to contribute to major projects. Now a seasoned shipbuilder, Jaeson’s advice for new trades workers is patience and learning.

“Take the time to ask questions and find people who will take the time to explain in detail. There are so many small moments throughout the day where knowledge can be gained. Having people around to highlight them will help your growth. Keep an open mind and be honest about mistakes because shipbuilding is challenging, and we can always overcome obstacles. This work is more than just ships, it’s about our country’s history, our future, and about the people who choose to make Canada home.”